Common Sense Media

age 7+

Common Sense Says

Action-heavy take on classic books has peril, edgy jokes.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Peter Rabbit is a live-action/animated movie based on Beatrix Potter's classic books and starring James Corden as the voice of Peter. It doesn't have the same mild, pastel-hued feel of the stories, though: There's lots of frenetic action, including perilous chases, attacks with weapons and traps, explosions, and even death. Old Mr. McGregor dies on-screen, and Peter's parents are said to be dead (his father was eaten in a pie). There are also threats, arguments, and temper tantrums, and at one point the animals attack their human enemy with blackberries, knowing he's allergic to them (he has a reaction and must treat himself with an EpiPen). The two main human characters (Rose Byrne and Domhnall Gleeson) fall in love and kiss once. Part of Old Mr. McGregor's buttocks is shown; Peter tries to poke a carrot in the crack. A rooster talks about "fertilizing all those eggs" and then tries to be a good father to a gaggle of baby chicks. Language is mild overall but includes insult words like "stupid," "idiot," and "imbecile"; a couple of quick scenes include references to drinking and the implication that a character is high (the latter will likely go over kids' heads). The main characters make lots of iffy decisions, and everyone behaves rather badly until an apology at the end that seems a bit too little, too late. But they do learn a few lessons about listening to others and the fact that there's enough love to go around for everyone.